Historically, red clover was used as a blood purifier, diuretic, general tonic, and folk cancer remedy. The flower has been used as a folk remedy to relieve spasms associated with asthma and bronchitis and to treat skin sores or ulcerations. In the early 1900s, more than a dozen companies marketed red clover products in this country. However, in 1912 a report came out from the government that said red clover was essentially worthless for any known medical condition, and its use fell off dramatically. It has only been recently that red clover has been revisited by researchers in this country.

The blossoms contain molybdenum-an essential nutrient to help discharge nitrogen; when used with iron supplements, it produces more rapid hemoglobin production; strengthens anemic blood; protects against bites and stings; treats and prevents cancer, gout and whooping cough; expectorant; one of the best mucous clearer's; used for ALL cancers, especially esophagus and breast; use as a tea for bathing sores; mix with chaparral and Don Quai for cancer; has lots of vitamins and minerals; very good for children with degenerative diseases; great nerve calmer, good for nervous exhaustion; good for rickets, weak chest, bronchitis, and lack of vitality.

Red clover's use as a cancer remedy is not backed by any clinical studies in humans. Pharmacological studies even in animals are few. Per the Pharmacist's Letter, there are over 100 different chemicals contained in red clover. Two of these 100 chemicals are phytoestrogens, which are structurally similar to estrogens. The principal isoflavones found in red clover are biochanin A and formononetin. When ingested, biochanin A and formononetin are metabolized to the isoflavinoids genistein and diazein. In postmenopausal woman with low endogenous estrogen, isoflavinones are likely to act as weak estrogens. Isoflavinones have a high affinity for the beta estrogen receptor. The beta estrogen receptor predominates in the heart, vascular, bone, and bladder, which may account for some of red clover's beneficial effects. Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is related to declining estrogen levels. Red clover is thought to be beneficial for preventing osteoporosis due to its weak estrogen effect. Epidemiological studies provide evidence that certain dietary components can have a significant effect on the incidence and location of cancers in humans. For example, some members of the mustard family, especially broccoli, are known to help prevent the development of cancers, an effect attributed to free-radical scavenging properties. The flavonoid genistein (mostly extracted from soybeans) is now available in dietary supplements known as nutraceuticals. A recent preliminary laboratory study found that biochanin A inhibited the activation of cancer in cell cultures. More research on red clover and its isoflavones is clearly warranted.

The daily dose of red clover is to be between 40 and 80 milligrams per day. Per The Lawrence Review of Natural Products, doses higher than 80 milligrams a day should not be taken.

The adverse reactions of red clover are fairly minimal. Orally, red clover is generally well tolerated. It can cause rash-like reactions, myalgia, headache, nausea, and vaginal spotting. The greatest concern is the potential drug interaction of red clover with anticoagulant drugs. These are theoretical reactions and have not been clinically documented. Patients who have any kind of bleeding disorder or are taking any type of anticoagulant drug, should not use red clover without checking with your personal physician. Again, per the Pharmacist's Letter, because red clover is excreted to the body through the cytochrome P-450 system, there are certain drugs with which it may interact. Theoretically, red clover could interact with common drugs such as Mevacor, Nizoral, Sporanox, Allegra, and Halcion.